Developer VOID Interactive is preparing for the much-anticipated launch of Ready or Not on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, scheduled for July 15. This tactical shooter, which has already garnered a dedicated following on Windows PC, is undergoing a series of updates aimed at enhancing its performance on console platforms. However, these changes have sparked a wave of discontent among its PC player base.
Technical Enhancements and Artistic Adjustments
In a recent blog post on Steam, VOID Interactive outlined the rationale behind the updates, which include modifications to animations intended to facilitate the game’s certification process for consoles. The transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 is at the heart of these adjustments, as the newer engine offers improved features that simplify the animation workload while enhancing overall performance. This is particularly crucial for the game’s planned cross-play functionality.
Lead technical artist Alex elaborated on the creative direction, stating, “We recorded five different special forces actors in our last big mocap shoot, aiming for a more organic and natural look, moving away from the uniformity often seen in video games.” The team has completed a significant rework of the animation graph and is now focused on refining these elements using cutting-edge technology.
While some of the changes may go unnoticed by players, others could significantly alter the game’s tone. For instance, although the game will still depict dismemberment, the portrayal of ongoing gore has been limited. Once a character is deceased, further animations of decay will cease, maintaining the initial level of violence without extending the depiction of carnage. Additionally, instances of torture and nudity have been toned down to meet console standards.
Alex emphasized that these modifications were deemed “absolutely necessary” for certification, a process that is notably more stringent for console platforms compared to the more lenient environment of PC gaming. This rigorous evaluation aims to ensure that only high-quality experiences are available on consoles, a lesson learned from the infamous video game crash of 1983.
Community Backlash and Market Performance
Despite the developers’ intentions, the response from the Ready or Not community has been largely negative. Many players on PC perceive the updates as a betrayal of the game’s original artistic vision. A top-voted review on Steam encapsulates this sentiment, accusing the developers of censoring the game to appease console market regulators. This review is part of a broader wave of criticism, with some players expressing their frustration through colorful ASCII art and expletives.
Representatives for Ready or Not have yet to respond to the backlash, but the game continues to perform well in sales. As of now, it ranks 15th on the global top sellers list, even amidst the controversy and a “Mixed” review rating on Steam. The ongoing summer sale, offering a 50% discount, has likely contributed to its sustained popularity, with the game still priced at .99.
The recent uproar surrounding the animation changes has inadvertently served as effective marketing for Ready or Not. Following the announcement on June 27, the game saw its active player count double within two days. As discussions about the censorship continue, it appears that the tactical shooter may reach new heights in popularity, despite its evolving approach to graphic content.
